Question 1

is leukemia deadly?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Leukemia is one of those cancers for which modern treatment has created a high percentage of cures.  This is age related;  the younger the better.  There are a number of types of leukemia and some are more deadly than others.  The basic statement of course is untreated leukemia is always fatal.

Question 2

what to do if i have leukemia and i want to support it. i was just diagnosed and is it deadly?

Accepted Answer

Yes if not treated: With any type of cancer, patient may die if not treated. Sooner or latter - depend on cancer type. People die often times not because of cancer itself but complications that happen to evolve due to this primary condition.
Many types of leukemia are treatable with good outcome - not only prologed but quality life. Prognosis, what to do, how to treat and when - questions for your treating doctor.

Question 3

what is leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Blood cell cancer: Leukemia is cancer of one of the bone marrow cells. The cells start growing quickly and either enter the blood stream where they are first detected or build up in the bone marrow where people are diagnosed after becoming ill from infection or bleeding because the normal blood cells are crowded out and can't do their jobs. Granulocytes, lymphocytes, red cells and platelets can turn cancerous.

Question 4

what causes leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Leukemia cause: We don't know for sure. Leukemia develops as the consequence of a series of genetic changes in blood cell offsprings. These changes alter normal growth and differentiation of the cells, resulting in an accumulation of abnormal, immature blood cells in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. Exposure to chemicals, radiation, tobacco, or chemotherapy, infection, etc have been associated with leukemia.

Question 5

is leukemia terminal?

Accepted Answer

No necessarily: Long time ago that was true. But the modern treatments for leukemias are quite effective and are often curative. But the treatment is best done at a cancer center where you can find experienced leukemia specialists especially if it is an acute leukemia(as opposed to chronic leukemias which are less serious and easier to treat).

Question 6

how is leukemia cured?

Accepted Answer

Chemotherapy or ...: It depends on the type of leukemia.  Some leukemias can be cured with chemotherapy..  Some types of leukemia can only be cured with a stem cell transplant.

Question 7

how is leukemia treated?

Accepted Answer

Drugs +/- radiation: Various chemotherapy drugs and new targeted therapies are used that preferentially kill cancer cells while minimizing side effects. Sometimes radiation is used alone or in addition to drugs depending on the type and stage of cancer. This is a discussion you will have with your cancer team during which you should have ample opportunity to ask questions. Take a pad and paper with you.

Question 8

is leukemia transmissible?

Accepted Answer

No: Leukemia is not a contagious disease.

Question 9

which types of leukemia are there?

Accepted Answer

4 types: They come as 2 acute and 2 chronic types of leukemias. Your hematologist/oncologist can explain the differences.

Question 10

what are earlier signs of leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Asymptomatic lab abnormality to highly symptomatic. It depends on type of leukemia (all, aml, cll, cml, etc), disease burden, and host (human) factors.  So, no universal answer.

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Is leukemia deadly

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Is leukemia deadly?

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What to do if i have leukemia and i want to support it. i was just diagnosed and is it deadly?

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What is leukemia?

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What causes leukemia?

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Is leukemia terminal?

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Is leukemia transmissible?

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Which types of leukemia are there?

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What are earlier signs of leukemia?

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